We check out KDE Direct’s new Align T-Rex 500 Tail Performance V2 Upgrade kit!
KDE Direct Align T-Rex 500 Performance Tail Upgrade V2 Review
KDE Direct produces high quality, machined aluminum upgrade parts for Align’s series of model helicopters. In this review we’ll be checking out their T-Rex 500 Performance Tail Upgrade V2 kit. The purpose of this kit is to provide slop-free superior tail control for all flying styles.
Stock Parts weight: 1.2 Grams
KDE Direct Parts weight: 2.3 Grams
This kit replaces the stock plastic tail control links with aluminum pieces that are supported by dual radial bearings at the blade grip. The aluminum links make use of the shorter Align brass bushing where they attach to the pitch plate.
Installation is relatively easy. The only aspect of the install where caution needs to be paid is when applying 242 thread lock to the bearing cases. All you need is a smear coating, so care must be taken to insure that no thread lock gets into the bearings. I soaked the end of a wooden match stick with some liquid 242 blue thread lock (medium strength) and then smeared the inside bore of the aluminum tail control link. I then carefully pressed in the bearings.
Moving to the bushing end, I dipped the tip of my 1.5mm allen driver into some multi-purpose grease and used it to apply a smear coat to the inside bore of the tail pitch link where the brass bushings are inserted. While the instructions advise you to use the included 1.5mm cap head screws to attach the bearing side of the pitch links at the blade grips, I used the stock Align Phillips screws since my model’s grips are plastic. This prevents me from over tightening and potentially stripping the plastic blade grip. If your model has the metal grips, then use the cap head screws at the grips and be sure to apply a small amount of thread lock to the threads being careful not to get any in the bearings.
If you have plastic tail grips, tighten the Phillips screws slowly while moving the link back and forth. Once you start to encounter resistance with the link movement, back off the screw ever so slightly. Due to the uneven molding of the plastic tail grip’s surface where the pitch link attaches you won’t be able to eliminate all of the resistance. This is a result of the plastic riding on both the bearing’s inner race and shield. While some may think that trying to sand the attachment point flat might be a good idea, don’t! You don’t want to remove any material from this part otherwise it could compromise how it holds up in flight. This idiosyncrasy is a non-issue for those using metal grips.
The results on the bench were encouraging. While there had been maybe a few thousandths of slop with the stock links, there was now none to be perceived with the KDE parts. The tail control action via manual movement was smooth and precise whereas the stock setup felt loose.
Once in the air the tail performance was solid and the gyro gain didn’t require any additional adjustments. While I didn’t perceive any difference in flight compared to the stock parts, the elimination of slop in the tail promotes higher gyro efficiency and mechanical wear resistance. Since the tail system turns faster than the main rotor and is constantly being actuated by the gyro, any measures taken to decrease control resistance and wear lend to improved reliability.
KDE Direct also produces this type of upgrade for the Align T-Rex 600 and 700 models too!
For more information and where to purchase this upgrade and more, check out KDE’s website!
